One of my friends had to pay a lot extra at Orlando International Airport due to disobeying the checked baggage restrictions. Actually, he didn’t know that most of the USA airlines do not have any free checked luggage allowance, especially in economy class. He was returning home after a long stay in the USA, and in the charm of upcoming happiness, he probably forgot to check the baggage rules properly.
The USA airlines are very strict about luggage allowances. If your suitcase dimension or weight mismatch to their regulation, get ready to pay fine.
I personally feel this is very unfortunate to pay extra bucks unless there are some strong reasons, and hope nobody faces such an awkward situation in the future. Hence decided to help people by sharing information about airlines’ luggage regulation in popular countries over the world.
This time let’s explore the details of checked baggage restrictions in popular airlines in the USA. Rules vary from airline to airline; from this article, you can compare the luggage allowance of different airlines before booking.
Who Should Know About Airline Checked Baggage Restrictions in USA?
This article is gonna be helpful to you if you are a US citizen or a visitor in the USA.
The USA is a huge country, the third-largest in the world by area. If you are a US citizen traveling on domestic flights is necessary; road trips may not be comfortable always, especially when you plan to travel from one part of the country to the other. Often your program gets fixed in a destination far away from your native town and you need to save time. Flights are the best option in such situations.
Being a US citizen, you may love traveling through the world, or you may need to visit other countries frequently for business, research, job, etc. So almost in every step, you are very dependable on US airlines. If you have a clear idea about checked baggage restrictions in various US airlines, you can compare which one offers a better facility and book accordingly.
The rate of foreign visitors is fairly high in the USA, varies between 75-80 million every year. The United States of America is one of the most developed countries, world’s largest economy by GDP, and second-largest by PPP, holds a major part of total wealth in the world (~31%), and a leading political and scientific power. The US is the head office of the world’s most active and profitable companies. People from every nation in the world visit the USA in search of jobs, training, research, and other business. If you are one such job seeker or business personality, having clear knowledge about American airlines’ baggage restrictions is worthy for you.
The USA is a big attraction for travel lovers throughout the world. Such a huge country decorated with a lot of variations. This is the land of the cities like San Francisco, New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Denver; hosts some of the most wonderful beaches including Honolulu, San Diego, Miami, Monterey, Sanibel Island, etc., and some of the top listed tourist attractions, such as Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, Sedona, Yosemite, Zion, Glacier National Park, and many more.
If you are a foreign traveler planning to visit America, you must have to travel by several domestic flights in the USA. Before booking a flight, it is better to compare the baggage facilities in various airlines.
Related Article: Best suitcases for travel in flight
Checked Baggage Restrictions in various US Airlines
In this section, the list of the major American airlines’ has been disclosed along with their in-detail descriptions of baggage allowances. The rules for all American airlines’ baggage restrictions are not the same, but you can co-relate and find a general idea which will help you to select a perfect suitcase for your trip.
Notably, some US airlines allow free cabin baggage but in most of the American airlines, you have to pay for checked in luggage, especially in economy class. Normally, the fee for the first one or two luggage are reasonable, but for more than two checked luggage the rate increases a lot. However, the rate hikes a lot of overweight and oversize baggage too.
Alaska Airlines
A. Checked-in Baggage Allowance
- Dimension of each bag: 158 cm or 62 inch (length + width + height)
- Maximum allowed weight per bag: 23 kg (50 lbs)
- Fee for the first bag up to 62″/50 lbs: $ 30
- Fee for the second bag up to 62″/50 lbs: $ 40
- Maximum number of baggage allowed per passenger: 2
B. Carry on baggage Allowance
- Dimension per bag: 22″ x14″ x 9″ (height x length x Width) or 45″ (length + width + height)
- Maximum allowed weight per bag: –
- Maximum number of baggage allowed per passenger: 1
- In addition,1 personal bag is allowed for the passengers of each all classes: purse, briefcase, or laptop bag
C. Charges for excess baggage
- Fee for more than two bags (up to 62″ and 50 lbs): $ 100/bag
- Fee for oversize bag (63″-115″): $ 100
- Fee for an overweight bag: (51-100 lbs): $ 100
Allegiant Air
Allegiant Air neither offer free Check-in baggage nor carry on baggage, you have to pay extra fees for any luggage. You can carry only one personal item (maximum dimension:7″ x 15″ x 16″) with you for free. You can save money if you book for check-in or carry on luggage in advance.
A. Checked-in Baggage Allowance (Chargeable)
- Dimension of each bag: 203 cm or 80 inch (length + width + height)
- Maximum allowed weight per bag: 18 kg (40 lbs)
- Fee for a per bag up to 80″/40 lbs: Check here
- Maximum number of baggage allowed per passenger: 5 (up to 4 can be pre-reserved)
B. Carry on baggage Allowance
- Dimension per bag: 9″ x 14″ x 22″ (22.9 x 35.6 x 55.9 cm) (W x L x H)
- Maximum allowed weight per bag: –
- Maximum number of baggage allowed by per passenger: 2
- Fees for first and second baggage each (pre-purchase): $ 35
- 1 personal bag is allowed for free, the maximum dimension: 7″ x 15″ x 16″ (17.8 x 38.1 x 40.6 centimeters)
C. Charges for excess baggage
- Fee for overweight checked-in baggage (41-70 lbs /18.6-31.8 kg): $ 50.00/segment
- Fee for overweight checked-in baggage (71-99 lbs/ 32.2-45.4 kg): $75.00/segment
- Fee for oversize checked-in baggage: $ 75.00/segment
American Airlines & US Airways
A. Checked-in Baggage Allowance
- Dimension of each bag: 158 cm or 62 inch (length + width + height)
- Maximum allowed weight per bag: 23 kg (50 lbs) [32 kg for Brazil]
- Eligible region for complimentary first checked in baggage:12 select cities in the Caribbean and Central America
- Eligible area for complimentary first and second checked-in baggage: China, Japan, South Korea, and countries of South America.
- Fee for first baggage for other regions (up to 62″/50 lbs): $ 30 ($ 60 for trans Atlantic)
- Fee for the second bag for other regions (up to 62″/50 lbs): $ 40 ($ 100 for trans Atlantic)
- Fee for the third bag for other regions (up to 62″/50 lbs): $ 150 ($ 200 for trans Atlantic)
- Fee for fourth and more bag for other regions (up to 62″/50 lbs): $ 200
B. Carry on baggage Allowance
- Dimension per bag: 56 x 36 x 23 cm (height x length x Width) or 115 cm (length + width + height)
- Maximum allowed weight per bag: –
- Maximum number of baggage allowed per passenger: 1
- In addition,1 personal bag (up to 100 cm) is allowed for each passenger.
C. Charges for excess baggage
- Fee for more than two bags (up to 62″ and 50 lbs): $ 100/bag
- Fee for oversize bag (158 cm-320 cm): $ 150-200
- Fee for overweight bag: (23-32 kg): $ 100
- Fee for overweight bag: (32-45 kg): $ 200 ($ 450 for trans Atlantic)
Delta Airlines
A. Checked-in Baggage Allowance
- Dimension of each bag: 157 cm or 62 inch (length + width + height)
- Maximum allowed weight per bag for economy class: 23 kg (50 lbs)
- Maximum allowed weight per bag for first and premium class: 32 kg (70 lbs)
- Maximum number of baggage allowed for economy class (not free for all countries): 2
- Maximum number of baggage allowed for business and premium class (free baggage): 2
- Fee for baggage in economy class: Check here
B. Carry on baggage Allowance
- Dimension per bag: 24″ x 16″ x 10″ (height x length x Width)
- Maximum allowed weight per bag: –
- Maximum number of baggage allowed per passenger: 1
- In addition,1 personal bag (14″ x 18″ x 8″) is allowed for each passenger.
C. Charges for excess baggage
- Fee for third baggage: $ 150
- Fee for fourth to tenth baggage: $ 200
- Fee for the oversize bag: $ 100-300
- Fee for an overweight bag: $ 100-200
- Bags over 100 lbs and 110″ are not allowed.
Frontier Airlines
A. Checked-in Baggage Allowance
- Dimension of each bag: 158 cm or 62 inch (length + width + height)
- Maximum allowed weight per bag: 23 kg (50 lbs)
- Fee for first baggage: $ 30-50/bag
- Fee for second baggage: $ 45-55/bag
- Fee for more than 3 baggage: $ 85-95/bag
B. Carry on baggage Allowance
- Dimension per bag: 24″ x 16″ x 10″ (height x length x Width)
- Maximum allowed weight per bag: 35 lbs
- Maximum number of baggage allowed per passenger: 1
- Fee for carry-on baggage: $ 35-50
- In addition,1 personal bag (14″ x 18″ x 8″) is allowed for each passenger.
C. Charges for excess baggage
- Fee for an oversize bag: $ 75
- Fee for an overweight bag: $ 75
- Bags over 100 lbs and 110″ are not allowed.
Hawaiian Airlines
A. Checked-in Baggage Allowance
- Dimension of each bag: 158 cm or 62 inch (length + width + height)
- Maximum allowed weight per bag: 23 kg (50 lbs)
- Fee for first and second baggage for first class: free
- Fee for first baggage for the main cabin: $ 25-30
- Fee for second baggage for the main cabin: $ 35-40/bag
- Fee for first baggage for Hawaiian Miles members: $ 15-20/bag
- Fee for more than 2 baggage: $ 50-100/bag
B. Carry on baggage Allowance
- Dimension per bag: 22″ x 14″ x 9″ (height x length x Width) (45 linear inches)
- Maximum allowed weight per bag: 25 lbs (11.5 kg)
- Maximum number of baggage allowed per passenger: 1
- Fee for carrying on baggage: $ 35-50
- In addition,1 personal bag (14″ x 18″ x 8″) is allowed for each passenger.
C. Charges for excess baggage
- Fee for an oversize bag (157-206 cm): $ 35-100
- Fee for an overweight bag (51-70 lbs): $ 35-50
- Fee for an overweight bag (71-100 lbs): $ 70-200
- Bags over 45 kg and 206 cm are not allowed.
JetBlue
A. Checked-in Baggage Allowance
- Dimension of each bag: 157 cm or 62 inch (length + width + height)
- Maximum allowed weight per bag: 22.68 kg (50 lbs)
- Fee for first and second baggage for blue flex members: free
- Fee for first baggage for blue plus members: free
- Fee for first baggage for blue members: $ 30
- Fee for second baggage for blue and blue plus: $ 40
- Fee for third baggage: $ 150
B. Carry on baggage Allowance
- Dimension per bag: 22″ x 14″ x 9″ (height x length x Width) (45 linear inches)
- Maximum allowed weight per bag: –
- Maximum number of baggage allowed per passenger: 1
- Fee for carry-on baggage: $ 35-50
- In addition,1 personal bag (13″ x 17″ x 8″) is allowed for each passenger.
C. Charges for excess baggage
- Fee for oversize bag (157-203 cm): $ 150/bag
- Fee for an overweight bag (51-99 lbs): $150/bag
Southwest Airlines
A. Checked-in Baggage Allowance
- Dimension of each bag: 157 cm or 62 inch (length + width + height)
- Maximum allowed weight per bag: 22.68 kg (50 lbs)
- Maximum number of free baggage allowed per passenger: 2
B. Carry on baggage Allowance
- Dimension per bag: 24″ x 16″ x 10″ (height x length x Width)
- Maximum allowed weight per bag: –
- Maximum number of baggage allowed per passenger: 1
- In addition,1 personal bag (13.5″ x 18.5″ x 8.5″) is allowed for each passengers (purses, briefcases, cameras, food containers, or laptops).
C. Charges for excess baggage
- Fee for more than 2 baggage: $ 75/each
- Fee for oversize bag (157-203 cm): $ 75/bag
- Fee for an overweight bag (51-80 lbs): $ 75/bag
United Airlines
A. Checked-in Baggage Allowance
- Dimension of each bag: 158 cm or 62 inch (length + width + height)
- Maximum allowed weight per bag for economy class: 23 kg (50 lbs)
- Maximum allowed weight per bag for business and first-class: 32 kg (70 lbs)
- Fees for check-in luggage: Check here
B. Carry on baggage Allowance
- Dimension per bag: 22″ x 14″ x 9″ (height x length x Width)
- Maximum allowed weight per bag: –
- Maximum number of baggage allowed per passenger: 1
- In addition,1 personal bag (10″ x 17″ x 9″) is allowed for each passengers (purses, briefcases, cameras, food containers, or laptops).
C. Charges for excess baggage
- Check here.
The list ends here. Here we have included the details of the major airlines’ in the USA.
If you are looking for a suitcase which will match the requirements of check-in or carry-on luggage size, then you’ll get the best and most updated idea at, “Best Suitcases for Travel“.
Airline Checked Baggage Restrictions in USA: Conclusive Remarks
We have included here the details of Checked Baggage Restrictions in the USA. Although we frequently update this information when any airline updates its rules, sometimes there may be mismatches due to sudden changes in Airline’s rules. So, it is strictly suggested to recheck the rule provided by an airline authority before or after booking the ticket.
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However, for oversize and overweight baggage the charges are high too. So, you should be very careful about these to save your hard-earned money.
If you like the information social sharing would be highly appreciating; also you may share your insights in the comment box below.
Dr. Suvankar Das is a scientific advisor by profession, associated with a CRO organization. He pursued his doctoral degree in Chemistry in 2015. Later, he worked as a postdoctoral researcher & scientist in a couple of institutes/companies.
Besides his scientific journey, Dr. Das is also a passionate traveler and travel blogger. He loves to share all his travel experiences with other travelers so that everyone can enjoy hassle-free holidays with their own tour plans.
He believes, the most beautiful thing in this world is the WORLD itself. so there is no way to live like a clock; rather live it like a compass!
